Mitchell Orchant, the founder of C.Gars Ltd and one of the best-known figures in the British cigar trade, has stepped away from his role within the Dominique London Group.

Dominique London announced on 1 September that Orchant would become an ambassador for the group, marking the end of his time as a shareholder and employee.

The move comes five years after C.Gars Ltd merged with the La Casa del Tabaco Group in 2021, creating what would become Dominique London.

Orchant founded C.Gars Ltd and spent three decades building the business into one of the UK’s most recognised names for Havana cigars, rare vintage stock and fine spirits.

Since the merger, he has helped support the expansion of the wider group, including opening stores and promoting the cigar trade internationally.

Dominique London now operates more than 30 boutiques across seven countries.

In a statement, the group confirmed that while Orchant is no longer a shareholder or employee, he will continue to have a relationship with the business as an ambassador.

Orchant said it had been an “honour” to lead the business from its early beginnings.

Frédéric Dechamps, chief executive of Dominique London, said Orchant had been involved with the group since the earliest discussions surrounding the 2021 merger.

“On behalf of the board, I want to thank him for everything he has given the group over the past five years,” he said.

“I am glad this is not a goodbye – as an ambassador he will remain a familiar face across the trade.”

Dominique Gyselinck, the founder of Dominique London, said Orchant’s legacy as the founder of C.Gars would remain an important part of the group’s history.

“When our two companies came together in 2021, I found in Mitchell a partner who understood that this industry is built on relationships rather than transactions,” he said.

“He will forever be the Founder of C.Gars, and that legacy is now part of ours.”

The announcement represents a significant change for Orchant, whose name has been closely associated with C.Gars and the British cigar industry for decades.

Although he is stepping away from the day-to-day business and no longer holds a shareholding in Dominique London, his new ambassadorial role means he is expected to remain a familiar figure within the cigar trade.

For many in the industry, however, the announcement marks the end of an era: the man who built C.Gars Ltd from humble beginnings is formally stepping away from the business he founded.